Origin
Wichita, KS
Evening in Wichita on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wichita, KS to Atchison, KS
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
191.4 mi
308 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wichita, KS
Tien Nguyen
Atchison, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Wichita to Atchison, expect a straightforward journey covering 191.4 miles across the Kansas Great Plains. With a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes, this route is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to cover the distance. While the drive is focused on efficiency, it offers a consistent path through the heart of the state. Because the total duration is relatively short, you likely won't need to split this into an overnight trip unless you prefer a slower pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.7 miles from Wichita, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Kansas Turnpike, which accounts for a 129.6-mile stretch of the trip. The route later transitions onto Northeast Sherman Road and US 59 as you navigate toward your destination. While the initial portion of the drive offers the ease of a major thoroughfare, the final miles on local highways provide a shift in pace. This combination ensures you spend most of your time making steady progress before reaching the final leg of the drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 129.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and Northeast Sherman Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 191.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Market Street
Turn right onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 3rd Street North
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City,...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Wichita, KS to Atchison, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Valley Falls along the way.
Valley Falls
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 129.6 mi | 2h 9m |
| Northeast Sherman Road | 29.4 mi | 33m |
| US 59 | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Oakland Expressway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| KS 4 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Broadway Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 129.6 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wichita, KS and Atchison, KS.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
187 ft
·
15 sec
3
Turn right onto North Market Street
361 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Market Street
4
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
370 ft
·
20 sec
·
East 3rd Street North
5
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Broadway Street
6
Continue on South Broadway Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway Avenue
7
Turn left onto East Kellogg Drive
381 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Kellogg Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 54 East
9
Merge onto US 54; US 400
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
448 ft
·
10 sec
Toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto I 35
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 335
55 mi
·
54 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West, KS 4 West: Topeka, Valley Falls
15
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
this road
16
Keep slight left at fork
459 ft
·
11 sec
17
Merge onto US 40; KS 4
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Oakland Expressway
18
Take the exit onto KS 4
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
KS 4
19
Take the exit onto KS 4
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
KS 4
20
Turn left onto KS 4
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Northeast Sherman Road
21
Continue on US 59
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 59
22
Turn left onto US 73
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
South 22nd Street
23
Turn right onto Woodlawn Avenue
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Woodlawn Avenue
24
Keep slight right at fork
472 ft
·
9 sec
25
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Turn left onto South 10th Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South 10th Street
27
Turn right onto Kansas Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kansas Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 191.4-mile trek, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as this will help keep you refreshed during the 3-hour and 26-minute transit. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Kansas Turnpike onto smaller roads like US 59. Because you are traveling entirely within Kansas, you will find the infrastructure consistent throughout the journey. Aim to hit the road early to maximize your time in Atchison once you arrive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95.7 miles from Wichita, KS, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atchison, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wichita, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wichita, KS
This is one driving day of about 191.4 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wichita, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 129.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.7 mi from Wichita, KS · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from Wichita, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.6 miles.
Arriving in Atchison, KS
The final approach into Atchison, KS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Atchison, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.07 one way
$58.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.05 | $64.10 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.13 | $72.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.52 | $85.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.49
Kansas Turnpike
(129.6 mi)
$6.49
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.75 | $7.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.80 | $12.25 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Atchison, KS
Evening in Atchison on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
79°F
Adrian, MO
96 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wichita, KS to Atchison, KS covers 191.4 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, Northeast Sherman Road, US 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.7 miles from Wichita, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 191.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Wichita, KS to Atchison, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Valley Falls along the way.
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